Donna believes that her most important responsibility as a health care provider is, "to be someone who can be trusted, straightforward, nonjudgmental and to be an advocate for the patient." In her work with patients, she says, "I try to be open to the individual's whole self, both spiritual and physical."
After earning her nursing degree at the University of Rhode Island, Donna completed her adult nurse practitioner certification at Oregon Health & Science University. She continued at OHSU, earning her master's degree in nursing. In 1995, she completed her certification as a geriatric nurse practitioner.
Her philosophy of care is grounded in her belief that all people deserve to be cared for and loved and all deserve dignity and respect.